The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-09-16
Ladies' Department.
Original Biographical Sketch of
William Penn. Read Before the
Friends Social Circle at Full
ton.
BY ANNA R. BENSON.

william rem was DOrn III Aouu-
on in the parish of St Cathrine on
Tower Hill on the Nth of the tenth
month 1914. He received the rud-
iments of his education at Chigwell,
in Essex; which was but a short dis
lance from Wanstead his fathers
country residence. AS something
remarkable is usually said Of all
great men in the early part of their
lives so it was said of William Penn,
that while here alone in his room be-
ing then eleven years of age, he was
suddenly surprised with an inward
comfort and as he thought an exter-
nal glory in the room, which gave
rise to religious emotions, during
which he had the strongest convict
ions of there being God, and that
the son of man was capable of enjoy
inc common-union with him. He
also believed that at this moment he
had oeen called to holy life.
AT the age of fifteen he left CHG
we'll school and went to school in
London, while there he discovered
that some of his fellow students en-
tertained religious views in unison
with his own, and he began in con.
junction with them TO Withdraw from
the established worship and to hold
meetings where they could worship
God in their own way, which gave
offense TO the head of the College,
who in consequence fined all Of them
for nonconformity. but this did not
prevent them from doing as before
or even proceeding further, in con-
sequence of which he and some 9TH
ers were expelled from College. His
father was very angry at him for dis
grazing himself so. He tried to con-
vince William of the foolishness of
his ways, by argument. but that
failing he proceeded to blows and as
that did not have the desired effect
he turned him out of doors.
But he relented after time and
took his son back and shortly alter
sent him to France thinking the gay.
ety of French manners might correct
the growing gravity of his mind, but
when he returned home he became
as religious as ever. The fire kind
led in mis- mind might be smothered
for time as Goals under ashes, but
when the ashes were removed the
Goals were bright as ever.
His father then sent him to Ire
land to the Duke of Ormond, whose
court had the reputation of great
gaiety and splendor. But instead OF
William becoming worldly minded it
only served to disgust him and turn
him more thoroughly against all
pomp and vanity.
Disappointed again, his father
thought he would try yet another
expedient, so he made William sole
manager of his large estate in Ire
land he thought that would take him
away from his old associations and
would keep his mind occupied: but
it turnep out very differently from
what he intended; for while there
William went on business to Cork
and hearing that Thomas Loe quak'
er was to preach in that city he went
to hear him. Thomas began his dis.
course with the following text.
"There is a faith which is overcome
by the world" The text was so adj
apted to his case and the sermon took
such powerful effect on him, that
although he had not before discover.
ed any Partially for any particular
sect, from that time he commenced
to attend Friends Meetings, and in a
short time was arrested at one OF
their meetings and sent to prison; but
was soon released. The rumor soon
reached his father, that William had
become a Quaker, and he sent for
him to come home, and when he ar
rived he sought an explanation of his
sons peculiar conduct. The scene
that took place is said to have been
very affecting, and his father from
that time gave up all hopes of alter
ing the general views of his son, but
he still hoped to prevail upon him to
give up certain peculiarities, such as
keeping the hat on in the presence OF
his father or of those considered his
superiors.
But William could not feel easy to
remove his hat in respect to persons,
as he looked upon it as offering the
same reverence to man as he did to
his Creator. For it is particularly
enjoined by the Apostle Paul to un-
cover the head when preaching or
praying. and Friends thought that
that mark of honor belonged to God
and not to man. His father again
became 80 angry with him for refus.
ing to comply with his wish that he
turned him out of doors. That was
in 1861 and in 1868 he was then
twenty four years old he became a
minister of the Gospel, and in about
a year was again reeonciled to his
father, and a year afterwards
his father died. on his death